Face Mask Accessory

ABSTRACT

A device for holding a face mask on a head of a wearer; the device includes a hair accessory, particularly a hair clip; and at least one mask fastener means for attaching a face mask to the hair accessory. The device is unobtrusive and holds the face mask on the head of the wearer such that the hair of the wearer is not disturbed, and the wearer remains comfortable whilst wearing the face mask. The device can also be stored atop the hair accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of face masks of existing art and more specifically relates to face mask holders for attaching face masks to a user's head.

Related Art

Face masks or face coverings are used to cover the mouth and nose of a wearer in order to shield them and others around them, from viruses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks were employed as a public health control measure to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Due to the pandemic, many countries have recommended or mandated the use of face masks in public. As such, there has been an exponential rise in the amount of people wearing face masks in their every-day life and interactions with others.

Face masks typically worn by the general public consist of a mask body to cover the mouth and nose, and ear loops to attach the mask body to the wearer's ears. However, prolonged wear of these ear loops often causes discomfort or pain to the wearer, especially for the individuals that had never worn face masks before. As such, attempts have been made to bypass the use of the ear loops. However, these current methods are not ideal as they substantially prevent the wearer from styling or keeping their hair neat. This is particularly bothersome for wearers who wear their hair up as the current methods are bulky, intrusive, and unsightly. Thus, a suitable solution is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known face mask holder art, the present disclosure provides a novel face mask accessory. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a multi-purpose device, particularly a hair accessory, which conveniently and attractively attaches a face mask to a head of a wearer without disturbing the wearer's hair.

A device for holding a face mask on a head of a wearer is disclosed herein. The face mask includes a mask body, a left strap, and a right strap relative to the wearer. The device includes a hair accessory. The hair accessory may be configured to fasten (and engage) to at least a portion of hair on a head of the wearer. At least one mask fastener means may be attached to the hair accessory. The at least one mask fastener means may be configured to selectively attach the left strap and the right strap of the face mask thereto to stabilize the device relative to the head of the wearer.

According to another embodiment, a method of using a device for holding a face mask on a head of a wearer is also disclosed herein. The method includes providing the device as above; fastening the hair accessory to the portion of hair on the head of the wearer; placing the mask body over at least a portion of a face of the wearer; and attaching the left strap and right strap of the face mask to the at least one mask fastener.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a face mask accessory, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a right-side view of a device in an ‘in-use’ position, showing the device being used to hold a face mask on a head of a wearer, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the device in the in-use position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the device of FIG. 2, showing the device being in a stored position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a left-side view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the device attached to the face mask in the in-use position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a rear-side view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for holding a face mask on a head of a wearer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a face mask holder and more particularly to a face mask accessory as used to improve the means of fastening a face mask to a head of a wearer, so that hair of the wearer is not disturbed, and the wearer remains comfortable whilst wearing the face mask.

Generally disclosed in one embodiment is a hair clip ear saver for face masks. The hair clip ear saver may include the hair clip, and elastic bands having beads attached thereto that may each be attached to a side of the hair clip. The elastic bands may stretch so that the wearer may wrap an ear loop of the face mask around the bead, securing it in place. When the wearer wishes to remove their face mask, they may gently pull on the ear loop and it may come loose from the bead. The wearer may then tuck the elastic bands and beads over the hair clip for storage. The hair clip ear saver may prevent the wearer from having to find their ear saver in their bag, as it will be stored in the hair clip.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a device 100 for holding a face mask 10 on a head of a wearer (“device” 100).

FIG. 1 shows a device 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 100 may be used for holding a face mask 10 on a head of a wearer 5, the face mask 10 including a mask body 15, a left strap 20 and a right strap 25 relative to the wearer 5. The left strap 20 and the right strap 25 of the face mask 10 may both be ear loops configured for attachment over ears of the wearer 5. However, the device 100 may also be used with other face masks not employing ear loops. The mask body 15 is shown in these figures to be a partial face mask that covers a nose and mouth of the wearer 5, however the device 100 is not limited to use with this type of face mask 10. The device 100 may be used with any existing face mask. In some embodiments, the device 100 may be provided as a kit with the device 100. As illustrated, the device 100 may comprise a hair accessory 110 and at least one mask fastener means 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 showing various views of the device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the hair accessory 110 may be configured to fasten to at least a portion of hair on a head of the wearer 5. The hair accessory 110 may include a left side 112 and a right side 114 relative to the wearer 5. In some embodiments, the hair accessory 110 may be a hair clip 116. As shown in these figures, the hair clip 116 may be a claw clip, or butterfly clip. However, other hair clips are also contemplated, such as bobby pins, snap clips, alligator clips, and the like. Further, the hair accessory 110 is not limited to just a hair clip 116. It should be appreciated that any hair accessory 110 may be used. For example, headbands, hair ties, hair bows, and the like may be utilized.

The at least one mask fastener means 120 may be attached to the hair accessory 110. The at least one mask fastener means 120 may be configured to selectively attach the left strap 20 and the right strap 25 of the face mask 10 thereto to stabilize the device 100 relative to the head of the wearer 5. Preferably, the at least one mask fastener means 120 may include two mask fasteners. The two mask fasteners may include a left mask fastener 122 and a right mask fastener 125. The left mask fastener 122 may be attached about the left side 112 of the hair accessory 110, and similarly, the right mask fastener 125 may be attached about the right side 114 of the hair accessory 110. Further, the left mask fastener 122 may be configured to attach to the left strap 20 of the face mask 10. Likewise, the right mask fastener 125 may be configured to attach to the right strap 25 of the face mask 10.

As shown, the left mask fastener 122 may include a left band 123 and a left bead 124 attached about a mid-section of the left band 123. The left strap 20 of the face mask 10 may be configured to attach to the left bead 124. Likewise, the right mask fastener 125 may include a right band 126 and a right bead 127 attached about a mid-section of the right band 126 and the right strap 25 of the face mask 10 may be configured to attach to the right bead 126. In some embodiments, the left strap 20 may be configured to wrap around the left bead 124, and the right strap 25 may be configured to wrap around the right bead 126.

Preferably, the left band 123 and the right band 126 may be elasticated. This may aid the wearer 5 in fastening the beads (124, 127) to the respective straps (20, 25) on the face mask 10 as they may stretch the bands (123, 126) to bring the beads (124, 127) towards the straps (20, 25). Further, the elasticated bands (123, 126) may allow the device 100 to fit a variety of differently shaped heads. To unfasten the straps (20, 25) from the beads (124, 127), the wearer 5 may pull on at least one of the straps (20, 25).

Preferably, the at least one mask fastener means 120 may be configured for adjustment between a stored position 101 and an in-use position 102. In one embodiment, the stored position 101 may include the at least one mask fastener means 120 being stowed atop the hair accessory 110, as shown in FIG. 3. Storage of the at least one mask fastener means 120 atop the hair accessory 110 may allow the wearer to easily adjust the at least one mask fastener 120 from the stored position 101 to the in-use position 102, without having to remove the hair accessory 110.

In some embodiments, the stored position 101 may include the at least one mask fastener means 120 being at least substantially stowed within the hair accessory 110. The in-use position 102 may include the at least one mask fastener means 120 being attached to the straps (20, 25) of the face mask 10. The stored position 101 may provide easy access of the at least one mask fastener means 120 when needed by the wearer 5, so that they don't have to search for the at least one mask fastener means 120 when they need to put their face mask 10 on.

As above, in some embodiments, the at least one mask fastener means 120 may include the left mask fastener 122 including the left bead 124 and the left band 123; and the right mask fastener 125 including the right bead 127 and the right band 126. In this embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 3, the left mask fastener 122 and the right mask fastener 125 may be configured for the adjustment between the stored position 101 and the in-use position 10, and in the stored position 101 the left mask fastener 122 and the right mask fastener 125 may be stowed atop the hair accessory 110.

Referring now to FIG. 6 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of use 600 for holding a face mask on a head of a wearer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use 600 may include one or more components or features of the device 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method of use 600 may include the steps of: step one 601, providing the device as above; step two 602, fastening the hair accessory to the portion of hair on the head of the wearer; step three 603, placing the mask body over at least a portion of a face of the wearer; and step four 604, attaching the left strap and right strap of the face mask to the at least one mask fastener.

Further steps may include step five 605, providing the device as above in the embodiment including the left mask fastener attached about the left side of the hair accessory and the right mask fastener attached about the right side of the hair accessory; step six 606, attaching the left strap of the face mask to the left mask fastener; step seven 607; attaching the right strap of the face mask to the right mask fastener; and selectively, step eight 608, unfastening the left strap and the right strap of the face mask from the at least one mask fastener to remove the face mask; and selectively, step nine 609, stowing the at least one mask fastener within the hair accessory.

It should be noted that steps five 605, six 606, seven 607, eight 608 and nine 609 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 600 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 6 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 600. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for holding a face mask on a head of a wearer are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A device for holding a face mask on a head of a wearer, the face mask including a mask body, a left strap and a right strap relative to the wearer, the device comprising: a hair accessory, the hair accessory configured to fasten to at least a portion of hair on a head of the wearer; and at least one mask fastener means attached to the hair accessory, the at least one mask fastener means configured to selectively attach the left strap and the right strap of the face mask thereto to stabilize the device relative to the head of the wearer.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hair accessory includes a left side and a right side relative to the wearer.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the hair accessory is a hair clip.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one mask fastener means includes two said mask fasteners.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the two mask fasteners includes a left mask fastener and a right mask fastener, wherein the left mask fastener is attached about the left side of the hair accessory, and wherein the right mask fastener is attached about the right side of the hair accessory.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the left mask fastener is configured to attach to the left strap of the face mask.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the right mask fastener is configured to attach to the right strap of the face mask.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein left mask fastener includes a left band and a left bead attached about a mid-section of the left band, wherein the left strap of the face mask is configured to attach to the left bead, wherein the right mask fastener includes a right band and a right bead attached about a mid-section of the right band; and wherein the right strap of the face mask is configured to attach to the right bead.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the left band and the right band are elasticated.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one mask fastener means is configured for adjustment between a stored position and an in-use position.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the stored position includes the at least one mask fastener means being stowed atop the hair accessory.
 12. A device for use with a face mask, the face mask including a mask body, a left strap and a right strap relative to a wearer of the face mask, the device comprising: a hair accessory, the hair accessory configured to fasten to at least a portion of hair on a wearers head, the hair accessory including a left side and a right side relative to the wearer; a left mask fastener attached about the left side of the hair accessory, the left mask fastener being configured to attach to the left strap of the face mask; and a right mask fastener attached about the right side of the hair accessory, the right mask fastener being configured to attach to the right strap of the face mask.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the hair accessory is a hair clip.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the left mask fastener includes a left band and a left bead attached about a mid-section of the left band, wherein the left strap of the face mask is configured to attach to the left bead, wherein the right mask fastener includes a right band and a right bead attached about a mid-section of the right band; and wherein the right strap of the face mask is configured to attach to the right bead.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the left band and the right band are elasticated.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the left mask fastener and the right mask fastener are both configured for adjustment between a stored position and an in-use position
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the stored position includes the left mask fastener and the right mask fastener being stowed atop the hair accessory.
 18. A method of using a device for holding a face mask on a head of a wearer, the face mask including a mask body, a left strap and a right strap relative to the wearer, the method comprising the steps of: providing the device including: a hair accessory, the hair accessory configured to fasten to at least a portion of hair on the head of the wearer; and at least one mask fastener means attached to the hair accessory, the at least one mask fastener means configured to selectively attach the left strap and the right strap of the face mask thereto; fastening the hair accessory to the at said portion of hair on the head of the wearer; placing the mask body over at least a portion of a face of the wearer; attaching the left strap and right strap of the face mask to the at least one mask fastener means.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: providing the at least one mask fastener means including a left mask fastener attached about a left side of the hair accessory and a right mask fastener attached about a right side of the hair accessory; attaching the left strap of the face mask to the left mask fastener; and attaching the right strap of the face mask to the right mask fastener.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: unfastening the left strap and the right strap of the face mask from the at least one mask fastener means to remove the face mask; and stowing the at least one mask fastener means atop the hair accessory. 